Active Time

　　15 min

　　Total Time

　　45 min (includes cooling)

　　Cooking anything very gently in oil produces a deliciously moist result (duck confit, for example), and this is no exception. The soft, tangled ribbons of carrot and fennel turn velvety and are balanced by slivers of lemon zest and the warm spark of cayenne.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

　　2 medium carrots

　　1 small fennel bulb, stalks discarded

　　1 1/4 cups olive oil

　　1/8 teaspoon cayenne

　　2 (3-by 1-inch) strips lemon zest, very thinly sliced

　　

Step 1

Shave carrots with a vegetable peeler into very thin, wide ribbons. Quarter fennel bulb lengthwise, then very thinly slice lengthwise.

　　

Step 2

Heat oil with cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over low heat until warm.

　　

Step 3

Add carrots, fennel, and zest and cook gently, without simmering, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain oil into a bowl (see cooks' note, below) and transfer vegetables to another bowl to cool to room temperature.

　　Cooks' Notes:

　　•Confit can be made 1 day ahead and chilled. Bring to room temperature before serving.

　　•The oil left over from cooking the vegetables can be used in salad dressings or to flavor soups.